Lee McConnell welcomes competition from Eilidh Child

McConnell reached her qualifying time for South Korea with only two days to spare before the deadline

Scotland's Lee McConnell is pleased to have competition from Eilidh Child at the World Athletics Championships in South Korea later this month.

McConnell and Child are both included in the 4x400m relay squad as well as competing in the 400m and 400m hurdles, respectively.

"It's good for Scottish athletics to have more than one person who has done well," said McConnell

"You need people who are competitive around you, with the same mindset."

Child won a silver medal for Scotland in the women's 400m hurdles at the Commonwealth Games in Delh after posting a time of 55.62 seconds, while Andrew Lemoncello will compete in the marathon as part of a Scots team that also includes Susan Partridge.

"Elidh has had a breakthrough year, so hopefully, she can continue with that," said McConnell.

"There's also Andrew Lemoncello, who has moved up to the marathon and seems to be quite successful, although he's had some tough races recently."

Child feels that having an experienced athlete of McConnell's stature to aspire to can help her own progress and hopes to make the 4x400 team for the finals in Daegu in two weeks' time.

"I get on well with Lee," said Child. "We both have the same soft tissue therapiast and I see her a lot.

"We've been away together in Dheli and it's always nice to have a familiar face in the team along side you.

"Lee has obviously ran quite a lot of 4x400 for GB and she's an experienced runner - I'm hoping she takes me under her wing and keeps me right in running the relay.

"It would be brilliant to make the final team - Lee and I had good legs in Dheli and it gave us an eye-opener as to how well we're running.

"I've no doubt Lee will be in the team, because she's such a strong relay runner and she's one of the top athletes this year in Britain.

"I think I'll have to go some way to get into that team - but if I can run well, I can give myself a good shot of making it."